Lisa's Web, Where Red Dogs Rule.
Heronsway Lil' Miss Can't B Wrong NAJ, Novice Versatility, RN, CGC, S-NJC
April 14, 2002- present :-)
Clara found her way into my life in not your average way. She began her life with me at age 3 weeks, instead of the traditional 8 weeks that puppies go home. You see her breeder had brought her into the vet hospital where I work as she had a very serious eye injury. Rather than choose to have her euthanized, I stepped up to the plate and offered to take this baby red and white girl home. A week and a half later it ended up that her left eye could not be saved and needed immediate surgery to remove it. At age 10 weeks, a cyst formed where the eye had been removed and she needed more surgery at age 4 months, when she was also spayed.
The longer I interacted with this puppy, the more I realized what trouble I could be in with this independent spit fire attitude. Clara had a mind of her own from day one and was definitely meant to live with me. Because of her tenuous beginnings, I was very cautious with my puppy and chose not to do the 'traditional' puppy stuff in terms of classes and socialization with other dogs. This proved to cause some issues when I decided to start agility training with Clara at age 2. We started classes at MasterPeace Dog Training, but soon switched to Maplewood Animal Care & Training, Inc and met Katrin Andberg. Katrin and I soon became very good friends and Clara was thrown into doggie socialization 101 with Katrin's 3 Flat-Coated Retrievers- Regal, James and Niche.
In September 2004 we began competing in agility- NADAC, AKC and CPE. Clara did well in a trial atmosphere at 1st, but soon I realized that she needed more experience and foundation before becoming highly competitive as Clara would get distracted and shut down. So we took a break from competing and trained more with Katrin.
Later we got into AKC Rally competitions and Clara completed her RN in January 2007 at a NY obedience/rally trial.
In 2006 and 2007 we began competing more in agility again- this time mainly NADAC as that is what Katrin's focus venue is. So we travel across New England and neighboring states to events and have a great time. We are striving for Superior Novice titles in all 6 classes and recently completed our Novice Versatility Title, a very exciting success for us!
At Katrin's MAP NADAC trial in Sept 2007 (where I was Chief Ring Steward!), Clara and I finished her Superior Novice Jumpers Title!!! Yeah, we are finally in Open!!!! So cool!!
In 2006 the great adventure of Clara Across America was born and so far we have been to 26 states with the Football Dog (ie Clara) and have a great time with it!! In the summer of 2007 Katrin and I drove, yes we're nuts, to Washington State and back to Massachusetts over 3 weeks. We also flew Clara in a Sherpa Bag to Florida (yeah she DID fit!!!). And have driven to Missouri to attend the NADAC Championships (no we didn't get to compete that year).
Looking out at York Beach, ME 2010
Watching our friends Katrin and James play in the water 2010